Social distancing has profound implications for sex and intimacy. Sex workers risk both their own health and the health of their clients through the potential transmission of COVID-19, but they are not entitled to any income support if they cease sex work.
We have established a method of surveillance of online activity of male sex workers.
We analysed data from a large international male sex work website.
Male sex work activity online has decreased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discontinuation of in-person sex work was the most common risk reduction strategy.
Targeted COVID-19 outreach is needed to support sex workers. State aid is needed for sex workers who have lost their income.
Funded in-house, using a data extraction tool developed with a previous ARC grant.
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City
- Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne
- University of New England
- Faculty of Law, Queensland University of Technology
- Scarlet Alliance, Sydney
Photo by Diego Lozano on Unsplash
